Finding the Best Pots and Orchid Potting Mixes – There's No Secret At All!

 

It can be frustrating to grow orchids.  Especially if you have ever visited an orchid grower or seen pictures of beautiful, thriving flowers that make yours look like weeds.  Taking care of orchids, especially potted ones takes practice, patience and a certain amount of trial and error.  Choosing the right pot and the perfect orchid mix can put you on the road to growing stunning and coveted orchids of your own.

There is much to learn about orchid care.  One of the best orchid growing tips is that much attention should be paid to both the pots you choose for them and the orchid mix or potting soil you plant them in.  Both need to be perfectly balanced decisions.
It's wise to also consider that orchid fertilizer may be need for your plants to thrive.

 

Starting with the Right Pot!

Purchasing pots for your orchids can definitely be confusing.  There are a plethora of choices out there.  When you are taking care of orchids however, your choices are much more limited.  If you are caring for orchids that live primarily indoors than the lightweight and versatile plastic pots are perfect.  They allow for proper drainage and can be visually pleasing as well.  For outdoor use though, they tend to tip easily with inclement or windy weather.

An especially useful orchid growing tip relating to choosing the right pot is to find one that is light in color.  This will allow more light to get through the pot and to the roots.  If you are able to find a clear ploythene pot it should be your ideal choice for appropriate orchid care. 

Terracotta orchid pots are more durable for outdoor use because they are sturdier.  You still need to find one that allows for adequate drainage at the bottom or sides of the pot to optimize your orchid care.  Another beneficial factor to terracotta pots is that they inhibit the growing medium from becoming overly hydrated or waterlogged.  If you are taking care of orchids that are drought tolerant such as the Epiphytic orchids than these pots are ideal candidates. 

You will also find basket pots labeled for orchids.  These are suitable for the kinds of orchids that have pendant flowers or are heavy rooted and sprawling.  You will find multiple choices from wire, plastic, mesh wood or ceramic.  One orchid growing tip to keep in mind when using these pots is that they accommodate proper air flow around the compost and roots.

Keep Pot Bound Orchids in the Pot?

Taking care of orchids will undoubtedly have you noticing as soon as they appear to be root bound.  Your experience will have you wanting to transplant them right away, but with orchid care your best bet is to wait.  Many kinds of orchids actually thrive in pot bound conditions.  Many experts will give you the orchid growing tip to under-pot your orchids.  This is because the dense root system is actually the part of the plant responsible for curating the gorgeous flowers. 

When choosing a pot, think carefully about the size of it.  You want to make sure that they are somewhat under-potted but that the pot is still big enough to provide aeration to the root system.  Your orchids should only be repotted when absolutely necessary.

Another great orchid growing tip if you are growing Cymbidium Orchids is to allow them to grow in the same pot for two to three years at a time.  Other kinds of orchids will fare well never being repotted.

Which Orchid Potting Mix is Best?

You have chosen the perfect pot to perfect your orchid care.  The next big concern is what to put in the pot, besides the orchid of course.  The best orchid growing tip here is not to fill it with the dirt from your yard.  You will need to find an orchid mix that delicately balances organic and inorganic materials.  These orchid mixes will usually come in three grades.  You will be able to choose from fine, medium and coarse orchid mixes that will include organic or inorganic materials.  Many orchid mixes use a combination of both. 

Choosing Organic Orchid Mix

If you are looking for organic orchid mix choices you will undoubtedly be bombarded with many choices.  The easiest to find and least expensive choice is fir bark.  Fir bark orchid mix will inhibit rotting but can make holding hydration more difficult. 

A redwood bark orchid mix will hold water better and it has a tendency to decay slower.  Perhaps an optimum choice for orchid care is to use coconut husk orchid mix.  It is usually economical and it holds water well.  You will need to pay attention to this kind of orchid mix because it decays more quickly than other choices.

Sphagnum moss orchid mix has the phenomenal ability to balance water and air retention.  Caring for orchids in this type of orchid mix means not packing the soil too tightly.  A hard to locate but extremely beneficial orchid mix is tree fern fiber.  This orchid mix drains and decomposes slowly allowing you the best chance at superb orchid care.

Choosing Inorganic Orchid Mix

You will also have many choices or inorganic orchid mix. The perfect one for you can depend on what kinds or orchids you are caring for.  Charcoal is great however it tends to absorb many toxic substances.  You may choose this orchid mix simply because it is slow to decay.

With so many orchid growing tips pointing to the importance of adequate drainage and finding the orchid mix that won’t break down quickly, lava rock is an excellent orchid mix to choose.  The only downfall to it is that it can be quite cumbersome or heavy in the pot.  Alifor is an orchid mix made up of small pieces of clay.  It too can provide adequate drainage but is chosen mostly for its inability to rot.

If you choose vermiculite as your inorganic orchid mix of choice you will have one that not only holds water but will allow your delicate root systems to maintain exposure to air.  Pearlite orchid mix absorbs water well, is lighter to use than other varieties and is chosen often for its decay resistant properties.  Similar to pearlite is turface orchid mix.  This type of soil can be used on the same kinds of orchids that would tolerate pearlite.  The biggest drawback to turface is it is very costly. 

Orchid care is definitely not made easy with so many choices to orchid mixes.  As you tend to your orchids you will learn and quickly realize which choices work and which don’t.  With a little know how and careful attention you will be able to create an orchid mix out of the organic and inorganic substances that is a perfect match for the personality of your beautiful plants.